CHARLOTTE AMALIE — A St. Thomas man wanted in the kidnapping of two St. Thomas teenagers Monday was recaptured by police this afternoon, authorities said.
John “Cutter” Moses, 41, was apprehended in Estate Wintberg without incident about 3:30 p.m. today, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
Moses has been charged with kidnapping, false imprisonment, escape from custody and possession of a stolen vehicle, according to the VIPD.
Bail was set at $75,000. Unable to post bail, he was remanded to the custody of the Bureau of Corrections pending an advice-of-rights hearing.
Patrol Officers of the Mariel C. Newton Command were dispatched by the 911 Emergency Call Center to the Hometown Service Station located in Anna’s Retreat in reference to a reported kidnapping on Monday.
“Two minor females, ages 11 and 14 reported that while walking to the Hometown Service Station an unknown black male, later identified as John “Cutter” Moses, approached them in an olive-green colored SUV and verbally forced them to get into his vehicle, by threatening to hurt them if they didn’t,” VIPD spokesman Glen Dratte said.
Moses took the female minors to the store and told them to get some snacks for themselves and a Heineken for him which he paid for, according to Dratte.
He then took them to the Anna’s Retreat residential area where they got out of the vehicle and ran away, police said..
While the female minors were with their parents making the report at the Hometown Service Station.
Moses returned to the scene where he was confronted and apprehended. But he somehow escaped from official police custody with handcuffs still on and was at large until 3:30 p.m today.
John “Cutter” Moses is considered to be dangerous with an extensive criminal history.
The file photo submitted is a younger version of John Cutter who is now 41 years old. He’s about 6 feet tall with a slim build, a dark complexion with short black and gray hair.
This case is currently under active investigation by the Domestic Violence Unit.
Any persons having information regarding this incident are asked to contact the Investigation Bureau at (340)774-2211 ext. 5569 or (340) 715-5535.
You can also contact 911, Crime Stoppers USVI at 1-800-222-8477, the Chief’s Office at (340) 715-5548 or DET. S. Gabriel at (340) 715-5535.
